Graduate Program in Psychology Handbook

Transcription

1 DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY Graduate Program in Psychology Handbook Policies, Procedures, and Requirements UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

2 THE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PSYCHOLOGY TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Table of Contents... 2 II. Undergraduate Preparation & Course Exemption Policies... 5 III. Program Overview... 6 IV. Quarterly Course Load V. Registration and Enrollment Procedures VI. Evaluation Policies VII. Core Program Requirements List of Core Courses...14 VIII. Psychology 251: First-Year Research Project IX. The M.A. Degree X. Major Area Course Requirements General Policies Behavioral Neuroscience Clinical APA Breadth Course Requirements Cognitive...34 Cognitive Neuroscience

3 Computational Cognition Specialization Developmental...45 Health...49 Learning & Behavior Quantitative Social XI. Minor Area Course Requirements XII. Written Qualifying Exams (C-Exams) and Program of Study Requirements Behavioral Neuroscience C-Exam Guidelines Clinical C-Exam Guidelines Cognitive, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Computational Cognition Program of Study Guidelines Developmental C-Exam Requirements Health C-Exam Requirements...87 Learning & Behavior C-Exam Guidelines Quantitative C-Exam Guidelines Social C-Exam Guidelines XIII. Guidelines for Doctoral Committee & Dissertation Preparation

4 XIV. Policy on Incompletes.. 96 XV. General Regulations Regarding Leave of Absence XVI. Time Limits for Completing the Doctoral Program Requirements XVII. Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification XVIII. Grievance Policies and Procedures XIX. Program Accommodations for Doctoral Students Who Are Parents XX. Employment Guidelines & Procedures. 103 XXI. Academic Policies & Requirements for TAs & GSRs. 105 XXII. Guidelines for Student-Faculty Relationships..106 NOTE: Some contents of this manual derive from the University General Catalog and various Graduate Division publications. This manual is intended as a resource for graduate students in the Psychology Department. Students are strongly encouraged to read the relevant sections of the University Catalog that provide updated details about University rules, regulations, and policies as well as discuss questions or concerns with the Graduate Advising Supervisor and Vice Chair for Graduate Studies. Current Graduate Advising Supervisor: Kristina Magpayo Current Vice Chair for Graduate Studies: Anne Peplau LAST UPDATED NOVEMBER

5 II. UNDERGRADUATE PREPARATION The department regards a broad undergraduate background in the behavioral, biological, physical, and social sciences as the best preparation for graduate study in psychology. It is desirable but not required to have majored in psychology. A course in college level math or statistics is required. IMPORTANT: Some areas within this Department have additional requirements: Behavioral Neuroscience Area: Undergraduate courses in basic biological and physical sciences are strongly recommended. Clinical Area: The program requires a psychology major or its course equivalent, as well as the Psychology GRE subject test. However, we will consider applicants who did not take the subject test in time for admission. Cognitive Area: Consistent with the interdisciplinary nature of cognitive psychology and cognitive science, the area welcomes applicants with majors or strong backgrounds in any of a number of areas, including cognitive science, psychology, computer science, applied mathematics, engineering, neuroscience, and linguistics. II. COURSE EXEMPTION POLICIES STUDENTS WITH GRADUATE LEVEL TRAINING FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES: Academic Residence: Doctoral students are required to complete at least two years of academic residence at UCLA. In most cases, a longer period of academic residence is required. General Policies for Students Admitted to the Psychology Ph.D. Program with Previous Graduate Training: The basic goal in evaluating petitions from students with previous graduate training is to ensure that all graduate training is comparable to that received by other UCLA psychology graduate students and that the training merits a UCLA Psychology Ph.D. Although it is typical for students with two or more years of previous graduate work to successfully petition course exemptions, many advisors and areas may in fact prefer that these students enroll in most of the courses required in our program, particularly courses in the major. Please note that the department expects that students entering with an M.A. will need at least two years to advance to candidacy. Also note that the Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations (Preliminary Orals) at UCLA are mandatory for all graduate students, regardless of whether this examination has been passed at another university. Psychology 250A, 250B Course Exemptions: Students that wish to be exempt from this statistics requirement must consult with their advisors and the Quantitative Area chair. These exemptions are rarely, if at all, granted. 5

6 Course Exemption Petitions: Students with previous graduate training in psychology are urged to petition for exemptions during their first quarter in residence at UCLA. Course exemption petitions may be obtained from the Graduate Advising Supervisor. If requesting exemptions for more than two courses, please complete a Petition Summary for Students Submitting Multiple Petitions. All petitions for course exemptions must be submitted together so they can be evaluated in the context of the student s overall program of study at UCLA. Students may petition for course exemptions in Core courses, Major Area courses, and Minor Area courses. Petitions will be reviewed by each student s advisor, the appropriate course instructors, the appropriate Area Chair, the chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, and the Vice Chair for Graduate Studies, with further consultation from the Graduate Studies Committee when deemed necessary. Please see the Graduate Advising Supervisor for details. III. PROGRAM OVERVIEW ADVISING Upon admission to graduate status, each student is assigned an academic advisor whose role is to provide consultation on curriculum planning and academic matters. Incoming students should meet with this faculty advisor before the Fall Quarter starts or as early as possible to plan the student s curriculum. Students will also select a research advisor, who will mentor the student s research activities. In some areas, this selection will occur prior to arrival, and in other areas, such selection occurs in the first quarter after the student has had an opportunity to learn faculty research programs and define their own research interests. Some students may have a single advisor who serves as both the academic and research advisor, while others may have two different faculty members serving in these roles. If interests and relationships change over time, students may select new academic and/or research advisors. Although students may select research advisors who are out of their area or even outside of the department, we require students to maintain an academic advisor who is in the student s major area. Clinical students must consult with the Clinical Area Chair to ensure that their research advisor is acceptable. REQUIREMENT SUBSTITUTIONS Students are generally expected to complete requirements as outlined in this handbook. However, students also have the option of petitioning to substitute designated courses with courses that the student thinks may satisfy the nature and intention of the requirement equally well or better. Petitions are available on the Psychology website. FIRST AND SECOND YEAR REQUIREMENTS In general, the first two years of graduate work are designed to provide the graduate student breadth of knowledge in the field of psychology with a more focused intensive coverage of theories and research than would have been received in an undergraduate program. Three courses in statistics and a first-year research project (251ABC) are required. The second year of the program provides more specialization in the student's major and minor areas and development of the student's own research program. 6

7 A. Core Program policies and requirements are listed below: 1) Students must complete 250ABC (Advanced Psychological Statistics) in the first year of the graduate program. Students who complete the 250ABC series may apply 250C as a quantitative core course and as a course that can be applied either toward the major OR minor in quantitative psychology. Alternatively, students have the option of selecting a course to substitute for 250C. This course must be selected from a list of approved courses that can be obtained from the Graduate Advising Supervisor. Please note that students who substitute another course for 250C will not be permitted to count the alternative course as a core course. 2) Students are required to enroll in 251A during winter quarter of their first year and must complete Psychology 251ABC by the end of fall quarter of their second year. 3) Students must take four Core Courses in addition to 251ABC. B. Psychology 495: Psychology 495 (Presentation of Psychological Materials) is a supervised practicum in undergraduate teaching. All first year students are required to take 495A in the Spring Quarter of their first year. They are also required to take 495B during the first quarter they receive a teaching assignment. Exemption petitions for these courses will not be accepted. C. M.A. Degree: Students must petition to be advanced to candidacy for the M.A. degree. Petitions are submitted at the end of the second week of the quarter in which the student expects to complete degree requirements. The student must complete nine courses (36 units) specified by the Dept. Students who have previously received a master s degree in Psychology may not receive a duplicate M.A. at UCLA. D. Research Requirements Purpose of enrolling in required individualized research courses: Enrollment in Psychology 296, 596, 597, and 599 is the formal mechanism for providing students, instructors, the department, and the University with the appropriate credit for time devoted to research. 1) Psychology 296 Enroll in Psychology 296 whenever you are involved in regular research/lab meetings. Enroll under the faculty member(s) who is in charge of the meeting(s) you attend. 2) Individualized Study Requirements: a. Course Titles Individual Research: Credit for research supervised by one or more faculty C-Exam preparation (Clinical students: See explanation below) Dissertation Research (prerequisite: Advancement to Candidacy) 7

8 Clinical students: Please note that you may only enroll in Psychology 596 during quarters in which a written product will be submitted at the end of the quarter. During quarters when the research will not include a written product, enroll in Psychology 597 to obtain research credit. Please contact the clinical area for additional information. b. Students must enroll in at least 4 units of 251, 596, 597, or 599 each quarter, beginning winter quarter of the first year. c. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 4 units of Psychology 596 each year, beginning with year two, until Advancement to Candidacy, at which point students enroll in 599 each quarter. Clinical students: Your 2 nd and 3 rd year 596 courses must have a written product. Clinical students conducting research during quarters in which they will not produce a written product should enroll in Psychology 597. d. Students enroll in 2-12 units per section, i.e., with each faculty member who supervises their research. Each unit of credit represents approximately three hours of work per week. Students are urged to enroll in the number of individualized research units (and sections) each quarter that reflect the time they spend on individualized research supervised by faculty. e. Enroll under each faculty member with whom you meet on a regular basis. f. New course ID numbers for 596/597/599 are assigned each quarter. F. Major And Minor Area Course Requirements : Students continue working on requirements for the major and minor during the second and third year. G. Written Qualifying Examinations (C-Exams): Please check general and area specific policies in the Handbook for more information. H. Clinical Students Practicum Requirements : Requirements and procedures for the Clinic practicum are detailed in the Clinic Handbook. THIRD YEAR The third year consists primarily of advanced seminars, and in some areas, completion of C-Exam requirements. A large portion of the student's time should also be devoted to research, with greater specialization leading toward the development of a dissertation problem. Students typically complete major and minor area course requirements by the end of the third year. 8

9 FOURTH AND FIFTH YEAR A. Oral Qualifying Examination (Prelims): It is important that you start working with your advisor now to develop a plan so that you can advance to candidacy on time. Most students develop their ideas before the 4 th year and begin focusing on the dissertation literature review and prospectus in the fall of their 4th year. The Oral Qualifying Examination (Prelims) must be completed no later than the Spring Quarter in the fourth year. * All course requirements and written qualifying examinations must be completed prior to taking the oral qualifying exam. A doctoral committee of at least four faculty members is appointed. In addition to the requirements imposed by the Graduate Council, the three members of the doctoral committee who hold appointments in the Psychology Department must include a member of the student's major area and a member of at least one other area. If a faculty member is a member of more than one departmental area, that faculty member's primary affiliation should be noted in planning the composition of the doctoral committee. A list of faculty and their primary area affiliations is available from the Graduate Affairs Office. B. Doctoral Dissertations: It is a strong tradition in the department that the doctoral dissertation concern itself with original investigation of an empirical character. The specific form and content of the dissertation proposal and of the final dissertation filed with the University should be worked out in consultation with your dissertation committee advisor and your doctoral committee. Like any scholarly work, the format of the dissertation can take many different forms. Some dissertations have consisted of a series of chapters specifically written for the dissertation. Other dissertations have consisted of an introduction, a series of discrete articles (such as those that might be submitted to a journal) and a conclusion. Still other dissertations have combined these formats. In all cases, the dissertation committee is the final judge of the acceptability of the form and content of the dissertation. C. Final Oral Examination: The doctoral committee evaluates the candidate s defense of the dissertation. D. Internship Requirements for Clinical Students: The equivalent of a one-year full-time supervised internship in an acceptable setting approved by the faculty is required. The internship is ideally taken in the sixth year, following completion of the dissertation. Some students may elect to take the internship earlier. SIXTH YEAR: All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed by the end of the spring quarter of the sixth year.* * Any requests for extensions to these rules must be submitted by March 1 st in year 4 or 6. One time extension will only be granted for highly extenuating circumstances beyond the student s control. If an extension is granted for the 4 year rule, that does not automatically grant an additional extension to the 6 year rule. 9

10 IV. QUARTERLY COURSE LOAD Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 units each quarter. Students are required to enroll in a minimum of four units of research each quarter, beginning winter quarter of year one. These courses include: Psychology 251 (First-Year Research Project) Psychology 596 (Individual Research) Psychology 597(C-Exam Preparation/Individual Study for Clinical Students) Psychology 599 (Dissertation Research) Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 4 units of Psychology 596 (Individual Research) or 599 (Dissertation Research - for students who are advanced to candidacy) each year. The twelve-unit minimum may include 2-12 units of Individual Study (Psychology 596/597/599) under one or more instructors as well as 1 unit of Psychology 296 for faculty research and/or lab meeting courses SAMPLE SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST 4 QUARTERS OF THE GRADUATE PROGRAM: Be sure you are enrolled in a minimum of 12 units each quarter. The schedule outlined below is typical, but individual interests, advisor recommendations, and course availability may lead to any number of variations, including the goal of completing all core courses by the end of the second year. FALL QUARTER WINTER QUARTER SPRING QUARTER FALL QTR (2nd year) 250A: Adv Psych. Stat. 250B: Adv.Psych. Stat. 250C or equivalent Core course Core course Core course Core course or elective Core course or elective Optional: A core course, a course that will satisfy a major/minor area req. or an elective. When appropriate, 2-4 units of 596 (or 597 for Clin students) and/or 1-2 units each of 296 (lab & research mtgs). 251A: First-Year Research When appropriate, 2-4 units of 596 (or 597 for Clin students) and/or 1-2 units each of 296 (lab & research mtgs). 251B: First-Year Research When appropriate, 2-4 units of 596 (or 597 for Clin students) and/or 1-2 units each of 296 (lab & research mtgs). 251C: First-Year Research When appropriate, 2-4 units of 596 (or 597 for Clin students) and/or 1-2 units each of 296 (lab & research mtgs). 495A 495B if assigned a TA position 10

11 V. REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES REGISTRATION: Registration payments for students who do not have fellowships that pay full fees must be postmarked by the University s official posted deadline each quarter (20 th of each month). This includes TAs and GSRs. Students registering late will be assessed a late fee. ENROLLMENT APPOINTMENTS: Enrollment appointments are available on myucla one to three days after the online Schedule of Classes for that term is available. Students should check the Academic Calendar to find out when appointment times will be released on myucla. MINIMUM UNIT ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS: Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 units each quarter. The twelve unit minimum may include 2-12 units for each Individual Study (Psychology 596/597/599) course you enroll in as well as units for lab meetings (Psychology 296). Students employed as TAs/GSRs: Enroll in at least 12 units to obtain full fee remissions. ENROLLMENT: 1) Early enrollment (i.e., enrolling as soon as your appointment day arrives) can avoid being closed out of classes. 2) First year students must file a study list with the Graduate Advising Supervisor by the end of the 2 nd week of classes of their first quarter. 3) The last official day to add classes is always Friday of the 3 rd week of classes (with a fee for any change made after Friday of 2 nd week). Class additions processed after this deadline (i.e., between weeks three and ten of the quarter), will be assessed a fee per class. 4) The last day to drop classes and change the grading basis is always Friday of the 10 th week of classes (with a fee for any change made after Friday of 2 nd week). Retroactive changes after Friday of 10 th week are not permitted by the Graduate Division. 5) Courses used to fulfill any requirement must be taken for a letter grade. TEACHING CREDIT: Students must enroll in Psychology 495A (Presentation of Psychological Materials) during the Spring Quarter of their first year. Students also enroll in Psychology 495B during the first quarter they are assigned a TA appointment. Teaching assistants must also enroll in Psychology 375 to receive credit for their teaching assignments each quarter. Quarter-time TAs enroll in two units of 375; half-time TAs enroll in four units. POLICY ON CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Every graduate student, unless granted a formal leave of absence or unless eligible for paying the dissertation filing fee, must be registered and enrolled each quarter until all requirements for the 11

12 degree are completed. A student who will use twelve or more hours of faculty time or University facilities (excluding the library) is not eligible for a Leave of Absence or an Extension of Leave of Absence. REGISTRATION POLICY FOR FULL-TIME CLINICAL INTERNS: Students who will be full-time interns may apply to register In Absentia while on internship for one or more quarters. VI. EVALUATION POLICIES It is the responsibility of faculty advisors and area chairs to monitor closely the progress of students in their program. The Department requires the following evaluations: ANNUAL REVIEW BY AREAS Each Spring quarter, areas are required to conduct a comprehensive review of all graduate students in their program. Prior to this review, areas may request that students provide relevant information, such as a copy of their CV, transcript, a checklist of program requirements, a statement of accomplishments, etc. By the end of Spring quarter, each student should receive from the area a written evaluation letter with a copy sent to the Graduate Advising Supervisor. This letter should highlight any concerns about the student's performance or progress toward timely completion of program requirements and recognize the student's accomplishments. 4 th AND 6 th YEAR PROGRESS REVIEWS Each Fall quarter, students in their 4 th and 6 th year in the program are sent Progress Report forms by the Graduate Advising Supervisor. These Progress Reports require students and advisors to discuss the student s progress and remaining requirements to ensure that the student is making normative progress and will meet the 4 th and 6 th year rules concerning Preliminary and Final Oral Exams for the dissertation. After the advisor approves the Progress Report, it is reviewed by the Area Chair, Graduate Studies Committee Chair, and Vice Chair for Graduate Studies. If the student or advisor believes that the student will not meet the 4 th or 6 th year deadlines, the student must submit an Extension Request for the 4 th or 6 th Year Rule, which can be obtained from the Graduate Advising Supervisor. DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES ON CORE COURSE GRADING POLICIES The grade for acceptable graduate work in a core course is in the range of B to A+. The grade of B- in a core course indicates there may be a need for reviewing the student s performance. A student with two B- grades or a grade of C+ or lower will be reviewed for possible termination of graduate status. A student may be terminated even if that student s overall average meets the Graduate Division requirement of 3.0 (B) minimum. If other requirements are met, such a student would be eligible to apply for a terminal M.A. degree. 12

13 Incompletes will not be assigned in core courses without due cause, such as illness. If a grade of Incomplete is assigned, the work completed to that point must be of passing quality. Students who have a GPA below 3.0 are ineligible for TA and GSR appointments and for fellowship and training grant stipends. UCLA GRADING POLICIES: (1) A, B, C, and F may be used in evaluating performance in core courses. (2) The grades (A, B, C) may be modified by + or -. (3) Except for A+, a plus or minus carries a.3 change in grade points. (e.g., A+ = 4.0; A = 4.0; A- = 3.7; B+ = 3.3). VII. CORE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS CORE PROGRAM OVERVIEW Courses applied toward core program requirements may also be applied toward requirements in the department s corresponding major or minor areas. CORE COURSE GRADING POLICIES The grade for acceptable graduate work in a core course is in the range of B to A+. The grade of B- in a core course indicates there may be a need to review the student s performance in the course. Please see other important grading policies in the Handbook chapter on Evaluations. CORE COURSE POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS (1) Students must complete 250ABC (Advanced Psychological Statistics) in the first year of the graduate program. For further information, refer to (3.ii.) below. (2) Students are required to complete Psychology 251ABC (First-Year Research Project) by the end of the fourth quarter in residence. (3) Students must take four Core Courses (totaling 16 units) in addition to 251ABC: i. The four required core courses must be selected from at least three different areas. Two core courses will be in your major area, and two core courses will be selected from two different areas outside the major. ii. Students who complete the 250ABC series may apply 250C as a quantitative core course and as a course that can be applied either toward the major OR minor in quantitative psychology. Alternatively, students have the option of selecting a course to substitute for 250C. This course must be selected from a list of approved courses that will be prepared by the Quantitative area. Please note that students who substitute another course for 250C will not be permitted to count the alternative course as a core course. Please see the Graduate Advising Supervisor to obtain this list of approved courses. 13

14 iii. Note that each BNS module (2 units each) counts as half a core course. The exception is the 4 unit NS205 course. iv. Students must complete 8 units of the required 16 units of core courses during year one. v. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a total of four core courses by the end of the second year. When there is good cause, however, students in good standing (no grades of B- or lower) may take their fourth core course in the third year. vi. Students in CNS must take 8 units in the BNS core course series, one cognitive core course, and one additional core course outside the Cognitive and BNS areas. Core Courses 1. Be certain that the four core courses you select from the list below (outside of 251ABC) are selected from at least three different major areas. 2. Although many core courses are offered annually, many are offered in alternate years, and Psych 205 modules are typically offered every 2-3 years. COURSE # AREA COURSE NAME 200A L&B Pavlovian Processes 200B L&B Instrumental Processes 200C L&B Representational Processes 205A* BNS Cortical Plasticity & Perceptual Learning (2 units) 205B* BNS Human Neurophysiology (2 units) 205C* BNS Neurotransmitters in Human Disorders of Motor and Cognitive Function (2 units) 205D* BNS Clinical Psychopharmacology (2 units) 205E* BNS Psychobiology of Emotion and Stress (2 units) 205F* BNS Physiology of Learning (2 units) 205G* BNS Behavior Genetics (2 units) 205I* BNS Motor Coordination (2 units) 205J* BNS Homeostatic Drive, Hunger & Thirst (2 units) 205K* BNS Vision Neurobiology (2 units) 205L * BNS Cognitive Neuroscience (2 units) 205M* BNS Neuropsychology of Perception (2 units) 205N* BNS Functional Neuroimaging (2 units). Psychiatry M285 may substitute for 205N when co-taught by a ladder faculty member in Psych and when taken for a grade. However, it will count only as a 2 unit 205 even though it is a 4 unit course NS205* BNS Systems Neuroscience (4 units) 14

15 215A HEALTH Health Psych (215A must be taken with Psych 425 for health major or minor area credit) 215B HEALTH Human Physiology in Social and Behavioral Science 220A SOC Social Psychology 220B** SOC Research Methods in Social Psychology 240A DEV Language & Cognitive Development 240B DEV Social and Emotional Development 240C DEV Developmental Psychobiology 250A --- Advanced Psych Statistics (250A does not count toward the requirement to take 4 core courses) 250B --- Advanced Psych Statistics (250B does not count toward the 4 core requirement) COURSE # AREA COURSE NAME 250C QUANT Students who take 250AB and 250C may apply 250C as a core course and as one of the 4 required core courses. 255A QUANT Quantitative Aspects of Assessment 261 COG Perception 262 COG Human Learning & Memory 263 COG Psycholinguistics 264 COG Thinking 270A CLIN Foundations of Clinical Psychology (for Clinical Majors ONLY) 270B CLIN Foundations of Clinical Psychology (for Clinical Majors ONLY) 283*** CLIN Psychopathology (for Non-Clinical Majors) * Psychology 205 is a series of 2-unit courses, many of which are offered every 2-3 years. Modules are offered either during the first five weeks of the quarter or the last 5 weeks of the quarter. Four units (two 205A-N courses) are required to obtain credit for one core course. Eight units (four 205 courses) are required to obtain credit for two core courses. NS205 may also be applied toward BNS core course requirements and will count as a regular 4 unit course (or two 205 courses). (See prerequisites below) Note from instructors for 205D and G: Psych 205D and Psych 205G/Behavior Genetics will be offered in an integrated format across a 10-wk period. The two courses will alternate from class-to-class and week-to-week. We feel students will benefit the most from participating actively in both modules. Students may enroll in only one of the modules, but the lectures will build upon one another and content will not be repeated, so regular attendance at all lectures will be practically necessary, irrespective of enrollment status. 15

16 Neuroscience 205 (Systems Neuroscience) will be counted as a 4 unit (two module) 205 course. Prerequisites: some background in cellular neurophysiology. NS 202 (Cellular Neurophysiology) has been recommended as a good way for BNS and Cognitive NS students to obtain this background. Discuss the best background details with your advisor. ** Prerequisite: 220A or consent of instructor. *** Psych 283 is not scheduled to be offered in the foreseeable future. VIII. PSYCHOLOGY 251 FIRST-YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT Psychology 251 provides students with experience doing psychological research. Each student works with a primary and a secondary faculty sponsor on a mutually acceptable research project. The 251 project provides an opportunity for each student to engage in significant research work within the first four quarters in the program. Students are advised to discuss 251 requirements with their advisors at the beginning of each quarter in 251A, 251B, and 251C, since the requirements are likely to vary somewhat across areas. Clinical area students and faculty: Please be sure to read sponsor meeting requirements under 251B and 251C descriptions below. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Ideally, the 251 project involves all aspects of the research experience: literature review, original design, data gathering and interpretation, and the preparation of a final report. The specific nature of the project may vary from this ideal, depending both on the preparation of the student and the particular area of research. For example, the project may be a self-contained study or series of studies or it may be the initial segment of an extended research program that will continue as a Psychology 596 project after the completion of 251. In some cases, it may be appropriate for a student to work on a distinct aspect of a project that has already begun, although this student should become knowledgeable about the background literature and understand the rationale for the design and its alternatives. Students should have experience in data collection even when the primary focus of the student's project involves working with previously collected data. The project should provide an adequate basis for evaluating the student's research ability. The 251 project should be one for which there is a reasonable likelihood of completion by the end of Fall quarter of the second year. Allowance should be made for the unexpected problems that inevitably arise in research. The sponsors should not approve projects that are unlikely to reach an adequate point of completion within this time span. 16

17 IMPLEMENTATION: During the Fall Quarter each student should arrange to work with a primary faculty sponsor for direct guidance and a secondary faculty sponsor for additional consultation. The general nature of the project should be determined as part of the process of arranging to work with faculty sponsors. Each area of the department has been asked to implement procedures that will familiarize students with the research interests of potential faculty sponsors. It is the student's responsibility to contact faculty to arrange 251 supervision. Students must enroll in at least two quarters of Psychology 251 during their first year: 251A in the Winter Quarter of the first year and 251B in the Spring Quarter. If the project is completed by the end of 251B, enrollment in 251C is not required; students who have not completed the project at that time must enroll in 251C in the Fall Quarter of their second year. Enrollment in 251A and 251B is on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis; enrollment in 251C is on a graded basis. The final report must be submitted no later than the end of 251C (at the end of Fall Quarter of the 2nd year). COORDINATION: Students with questions or concerns about their research are welcome to consult with their primary and secondary research sponsors, area chairs, and the Vice Chair for Graduate Studies. 251A REQUIREMENTS: By the end of Fall Quarter, each student is expected to have identified a primary and secondary sponsor. Once students have secured their sponsors, they will submit a Sponsor Signature Form, which needs to be signed by the sponsors and submitted to the Graduate Advising Supervisor no later than the Friday of the first week of classes in the Winter Quarter. Students must submit their research topic and a brief report (generally about two pages) to their primary and secondary sponsors and to the Graduate Advising Supervisor at the end of Winter quarter. The report, which is typically due the first day of Final Exam Week, should include the design and plans for the project as well as projected dates for completing each of the various phases of the project. Students should check with their advisors for additional requirements, since requirements sometimes vary across areas. The 251A report must be approved by both sponsors. The report will be graded on an S/U basis. Human Subject Approval: Do not delay in submitting the required forms for human and animal subject approval, as gaining approval can be a time-consuming process. Students using human subjects must follow the guidelines of the Office of the Human Research Protection Program (OHRPP). OHRPP is located in Suite 100 in the Kinross Building. More information is available here: 17

18 251B REQUIREMENTS: Students will be graded on an S/U basis. Students must submit the following items to their 251 sponsors and to the Graduate Advising Supervisor by Wednesday of Final Exam week of Winter quarter: (1) A brief progress report (approximately one page), summarizing what has been accomplished during the quarter. (2) A complete draft of the introduction and methods section is required in all areas. The draft can include ideas that are rough or incomplete. The key points to address in this draft are as follow: Include some background for the study you are conducting, the specific research questions you plan to test, details on the projected sample and how subjects were recruited, likely procedures, and likely measures. Expected page length in most areas is pages. However, students should discuss these and other 251B requirements with their advisors as requirements vary somewhat between areas. (3) A completed 251B progress checklist must also be submitted. This is intended as a tool for taking stock of 251 progress and for helping students make sure that they will be able to complete their projects by the deadline (end of fall quarter in the second year). (4) 251B Student/Sponsor Meetings: This is a requirement for clinical students only, but since it can serve as a useful and constructive strategy for obtaining feedback and helpful suggestions, students in all areas are encouraged to set up similar meetings. Clinical area students and sponsors are required to meet at some point during the first year, usually during Spring Quarter, after projects have generally been conceptualized, the literature has been reviewed, and the methods section is being planned. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the research plan, to clarify it and refine it. The meeting should be held early enough to be of assistance to the students as it presents an opportunity for both sponsors to have input at a point when procedures can still be modified. Both sponsors should agree that the project is appropriate before it is carried out. (5) Please see 251C Requirements Part I (below) for information on an additional 251 draft that is due at the beginning of Fall quarter. 251C REQUIREMENTS PART I The following drafts are due on Friday of the first full week of classes in the Fall quarter of the second year: (1) A draft of the introduction and methods section ideally revised and polished since the end of spring quarter, based on feedback from both sponsors. 18

19 (2) A draft of the results section. The results draft might present only preliminary descriptive statistics or tentative analysis, but this version of the project should give you the opportunity to start thinking about how you plan to link specific research questions with specific data analysis. Please submit copies of this draft to your primary and secondary sponsors and provide a copy for the Graduate Advising Supervisor as well. (Clinical area students will also submit copies to the area chair & the clinical academic committee chair Tom Bradbury.) This is not a graded product, but it will be reviewed early in the Fall to help identify any proposals that are underdeveloped or in need of additional attention at this earlier stage in the process. 251C REQUIREMENTS PART II In addition to the requirements outlined below, students are advised to discuss additional 251C requirements with their advisors as requirements may vary somewhat between areas. 251C Deadline: Students are required to submit a final 251 report to their 251 sponsors and to the Graduate Advising Supervisor by Monday of Final Exam Week in the Fall quarter. However, you are strongly encouraged to submit a write-up of the completed work to your primary advisor early in the Fall of the second year to allow plenty of time for revision before submission of the final report. Grading: Regular letter grades are assigned for 251C. Incompletes cannot be assigned except in the case of a disabling event, such as a major illness. The assigned grade should reflect the quantity and quality of the student s total research accomplishment in the complete 251 series. The final evaluation should be based on a combination of direct observation of the student in the laboratory or field setting, conferences with the student, and the written report. Given equal accomplishment and quality of performance, equal grades should be assigned for projects still in progress and for completed projects. In the absence of a written final report, a failing grade should be given. Requirements: The report should demonstrate understanding and competence in all areas of research. It should include a discussion of the relevant literature and the conceptual background of the research; it should present some empirical data; it should analyze these data; and it should discuss their implications. Although all reports should include these topics, their specific natures may vary. When the research has been completed, the report may be in the form of a manuscript suitable for publication. Some variation in content is permissible; for example, the educational experience may profit from a more extensive discussion of the literature and the rational for the design than would be appropriate in a publishable paper. For example, when the student has joined an ongoing research effort involving several researchers, the report should set forth the design of the entire study, including plans for the analysis and interpretation of results beyond that of the specific 19

20 corpus of data considered for the 251 project. When negative results have been found, they should be discussed with suggestions for follow-up research (there is no requirement that 251 obtain positive results). When the research is to continue under a 596 or 597, a report more similar to an intermediate progress report to a granting agency may be appropriate. The most common format for the final report has been one that adheres to the style standards of a journal appropriate to the material. Usually, the reports will follow the guidelines in the APA publication manual. However, the quality of presentation - typing, graphics, etc. - need not reach professional standards. Many sponsors keep copies of past 251 papers that may be examined; examples are also kept on file in the Graduate Advising Supervisor s Office (3437 Franz). Each of the two sponsors will review the final report in the manner that editors or grant reviewers examine a paper submitted for publication or review. They will provide a written critique of the report. 251C Student/Sponsor Meetings The clinical area requires each student and his/her sponsors to meet again before the end of the Fall quarter of the second year after the 251 project and paper have been completed. As was suggested in regard to the Spring quarter team meeting, students and faculty in other areas are encouraged to consider doing this as well. This meeting is intended to serve as a forum for discussing the work that has been completed as well as possible future plans for the research. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR 251ABC: MONITORING 251 PROGRESS: It is the responsibility of both the primary sponsor and the student to keep the project moving so that a sufficient portion of the work will be completed within the allotted time to permit a final report to be written. The student's major area has the responsibility to assure that each student has found an advisor and begun a project by an early date, to determine that the nature of the project is appropriate, and to periodically verify with the advisor that the student is making adequate progress. If there are problems with the rate of progress or level of performance, the areas should discuss them and make recommendations to the Vice Chair for Graduate Studies. IX. THE M.A. DEGREE The Master's Degree is not required of candidates for the Ph.D. However, a student may qualify and apply for the Master's degree after satisfactory completion of nine courses (36 units) in the program. For students admitted after 2009 and thereafter, these courses must include: 250ABC (or an approved substitute for 250C) 251B and 251C (or 251A and 251B if the 251 project/paper is completed in the spring under 251B) 3 of the 4 required core courses (see chapter on core courses for the required distribution of core courses) 20